September 18, 2014

1927: Packers Defeat Triangles with Two Fourth Quarter TDs

To open their seventh NFL season, the Green Bay Packers
hosted the Dayton Triangles on September 18, 1927. The Packers had finished
fifth in the league with a 7-3-3 record in ‘26 and had newcomers in tailback
Red Dunn, formerly of the Cardinals, and end Lavvie Dilweg, who was previously
with Milwaukee. Curly Lambeau (pictured at right) was still playing at tailback as well as coaching
the team.

Dayton was 1-4-1 in league games in 1926 and had a new player-coach
in Lou Mahrt. The Triangles had not posted a winning record since 1922 and were
4-23-3 in their last four seasons. Dependent on local talent, they played a
disproportionate share of road games and had difficulty competing with the
NFL’s better clubs.

There were 3600 fans in attendance at City Stadium in
Green Bay on a windy day, which had an effect on the kicking game. The
Triangles hung tough defensively against the Packers for three quarters and did
well with some long passes, although the plays were from their own end of the
field and didn’t get them into Green Bay territory. Meanwhile the Packers,
typically one of the NFL’s better passing teams, managed only one completion. Dayton
threatened twice, but Earl Britton missed a 40-yard field goal attempt and Walter
Achiu failed on an attempt from 33 yards.

Vern Lewellen did a good job punting under the
conditions, outperforming the Dayton kickers and keeping the Triangles on their
side of the field. Following Green Bay’s first series of the third quarter,
Lewellen punted 70 yards to once again mire the Triangles in their own
territory. A punt into the wind by the visitors gave the Packers the ball near
midfield and they drove 46 yards to a touchdown carry of one yard by Curly
Lambeau. Red Dunn added the extra point.

Midway through the fourth quarter, lineman Jug Earp
blocked a punt and tackle Tiny Cahoon recovered in Dayton territory. The
Packers made a couple of first downs before Lambeau again ran for a TD, this
time from seven yards out, and Dunn again successfully converted. The Packers
came away winners of the hard-fought contest by a final score of 14-0.

Green Bay went on to post a 7-2-1 record, losing twice to
the Bears and ending up second to the Giants in the standings. The shutout of
the Triangles was the first of five overall as the Packers outscored their
opponents by a combined 113 to 43. Dayton, meanwhile, defeated the Frankford
Yellow Jackets the next week but didn’t win again, finishing with another
losing tally of 1-6-1.

Curly Lambeau’s two touchdowns against the Triangles were
his only ones of the season. Verne Lewellen went on to lead the team with five
TDs and 30 points and Red Dunn contributed a touchdown and seven extra points.